Clones and rootstock:
We had our soils tested by professional consultants and through their determination and recommendation we matched our clones with 101-14 rootstock. We then proceeded to have this 101-14 rootstock grafted to our selected clones as 'green growers' in a nursery setting for six months before planting. After interviewing the top pinot noir winemakers in the Russian river valley and discussing the various pros and cons of the varying clones and their merit, we chose to use four French clones, 3 Dijon clones and Pommard. The Dijon clones that we chose were 667, 777, and 115 and the fourth clone we chose was Pommard 5. In our first planting in 2000 we planted 7850 vines of the 667 clone, 6550 vines of the 777 clone, 4050 of the 115 clone, and 1000 vines of Pommard 5. In 2005 we planted another 4000 vines of the Pommard 5 to make 5000 vines of that clone. The additional planting of the Pommard 5 vines gives us more clonal equality which will be helpful in the clonal blending process. As of September 2006 we have 23450 total vines planted of the Pinot Noir variety. Oakwild Ranch is a 25 acre parcel with almost 19 acres of it now planted.
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